The UK Government has provided £12 million in funding for research into wearable technology, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to support people with drug addictions and reduce deaths.

One of the chosen projects, called PneumoWave ALERT which involves the University of Dundee, pairs a chest-worn sensor that monitors breathing to a mobile device that will send out an immediate alert to antidote carriers and emergency services if an overdose is detected.

Another study will look at using VR to help people overcome their triggers for cocaine addiction. They’ll be assessed using wearable devices to determine which cues in their environment lead to a drug craving by measuring physical changes to the body. VR will then be used to create realistic situations to repeatedly expose people to triggers in a safe environment.

Previous research shows cue exposure treatment (CET) can significantly reduce the level of craving and relapse among alcoholics, but it has not yet been fully explored in people experiencing a cocaine addiction—until now.

£12 million has been awarded to 11 projects across eight organisations in the UK. The funding has been provided through the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme, run by the Office for Life Sciences (OLS).

The projects were selected as part of the Reducing Drug Deaths Challenge and the NIHR i4i Addiction: Innovation for Treatment and Recovery Awards, which are being run in partnership with the Scottish Government and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Several of the projects are based in Scotland, which has the highest rate of drug deaths in Europe.

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Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, who serves as the Scottish Government’s chief scientific advisor, said: “Tackling drug-related deaths is a priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland and we are committed to tackling these issues through targeted research, innovation and support.

“As part of phase two of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Competition, funding has been awarded to develop seven prototypes aimed at reducing drug deaths.

“These innovative solutions include wearable sensors, digital monitoring and alert applications as well as novel antidote delivery systems.

“By harnessing the expertise we have in Scotland and across the rest of the UK, we can continue to develop new technologies to drive prevention initiatives.”